The Secret to Managing Bored, Young Employees

What’s the hardest part about working with younger employees, and what’s the best way to deal with it?

BUD HEBELER: Younger employees in technical fields are wonderful contributors when they have both the skills and work ethic required. Some spend too much time on social media when working, but their energy level is high and refreshing. It’s important to be firm about the limits of social media in the workplace.

Younger people in occupations requiring physical labor may initially be less productive than many middle-age healthy people who have been physically hardened through years of hard work. When younger people have good examples to follow they do better and have the strength and ability to shine.

I believe a major problem is that younger people are less eager to continue working for the same employer. This hurts both the employer and the employee, particularly in companies where there are significant growth opportunities. It’s important to give the youth challenging assignments and provide personal assistance when needed. Varying assignments help keep the interest up as well as increase and broaden their skills while reducing boredom.

Henry “Bud” Hebeler was president of the aerospace division of Boeing Co. He has served on the board of MIT’s Sloan School and currently focuses on the dissemination of free, sound financial planning on www.analyzenow.com.